Postdoctoral Fellowship in Primate Masticatory Modelling and PLIODIS at Vrije Universiteit Brussel Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Canada

📣 Postdoctoral fellowship opportunity at the Archaeology, Environmental Changes & Geo-Chemistry (AMGC) Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium.

This 2-year renewable post-doctoral fellowship is part of the PLIODIS project (ERC_101141770_PLIODIS) and focuses on modelling the functional adaptations of the primate masticatory apparatus, with emphasis on internal bony structures, biomechanical modelling, CT data, and multibody dynamic modelling. The research aims to reconstruct the dietary adaptations of early Plio-Pleistocene hominins from southern Africa and to study internal stress flow and mastication kinematics in extant primates before extending the approach to extinct hominins.

The fellow will be based at AMGC under the directorship of Prof. Gabriele Macho and will work closely with a PDRA at the University of the Witwatersrand. The project offers the opportunity to establish a novel modelling system and research protocol at VUB.

Eligibility highlights: PhD or equivalent in biological/natural sciences, anatomy, palaeontology, or a related field; prior experience with CT scanning and biomechanical modelling; coding skills; strong communication skills; ability to meet deadlines.

How to apply: Email a full CV, names and addresses of two referees, and a short motivation statement to [email protected]. Applications are reviewed until the position is filled.